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The high jump could be an interesting event with more than a few performers shining... maybe we won't see a six footer but perhaps a scare at 5'10" is in order.
Baelyn Zitzmann (Sr., Lake Zurich) is the returning leader from the outdoor season at 5'8", and the confidence of winning the state runner-up medal, as well as advancing and earning USATF summer track national honors, will no doubt present supreme confidence during this campaign.
Zariah Burnett (So., Rockford Guilford) was new to the game last year at this team but rose to a name that could be the event's future after taking fourth in the state as a freshman.
Aubrey Phillips (Jr., El Paso-Ridley)- 1A Top Times champion who went on to do great things all of 2023 as a sophomore. Now, one of the top juniors in the country at 5'7" has a vision of much more this winter.
Makenna Witham (Jr., Troy Triad) 2A state runner-up with cleared 5'5" indoors and outside. Could be the top jumper in southern Illinois.
Kiara Wesseh (Sr., Newark) is super talented in many events and could or may compete in another sport in college. Wesseh is the defending state champion and has leaped 5'7." Perhaps 5'9" or 5'10" is the cards over the next few months.
Key athletes to watch: Jada Buehnerkemper (Sr., Teutopolis), Layla Bonilla (Jr., Chicago Whitney Young), Annastasia Murphy (Sr., Aurora Waubonsie Valley), Aniya Lewis (Sr., Kankakee), Haylie Hinckley (Jr., Wheaton-Warrenville South), Lianna Payton (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley), Kaylee Meyer (Jr., Schaumburg), Sydney Myles (So., Dekalb)